The San Miguel Beermen have reclaimed their most cherished trophy — the PBA Philippine Cup. The Beermen completed their quest to reach the All-Filipino mountaintop in the 49th Season after a 107-96 Game 6 win over the TNT Tropang 5G in the finals on Friday, July 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. The …
Monthly Archives: July 2025
Double disaster: NegOcc under state of calamity due to ‘Crising,’ RSSI
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity after grappling with agricultural damage brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” and a widespread destructive outbreak of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) threatening the sugar industry. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) yesterday approved the declaration through a resolution, unanimously adopted on the …
Coming home in blue, maroon
By Herman M. Lagon This weekend, I will be coming home twice — once in blue, once in maroon. Two schools. Two identities. Two sets of memories. But one grateful heart returning to where so much of who I am was shaped, sharpened and sent out into the world. On Saturday night, July 26, I will walk back …
Truth, justice, mercy always prevail in the end
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We have to build up our conviction in this truth of our faith. God always is in control of things, no matter how twisted things in our life can be. The truth that can only come from God, his justice and mercy will always prevail in the end. We may have …
Lacson aims for zero casualties in disaster preparedness
By CESAR JOLITO III In the wake of deadly floods that claimed six lives in Negros Occidental during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm “Crising,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is urging all local chief executives in the province to review and strengthen their local disaster preparedness and response …
Inter-agency seaport drug task group eyed for NIR
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has proposed the creation of an inter-agency seaport drug interdiction task group (IADITG) to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in the Negros Island Region (NIR). PDEA-NIR Director Melvin Estoque said on Thursday, July 24, that the model has been successfully implemented during his tenure as chief of the …
SRA backs calamity state due to RSSI; mobilizes response
By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) hailed the declaration of a state of calamity in Negros Occidental as a critical step in triggering emergency measures to combat the widespread infestation of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in sugarcane fields. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona expressed gratitude to the provincial government, swiftly …
NIR population hits 4.9-M; 10th highest in PH: CPD
The Negros Island Region (NIR), the country’s newest administrative region, recorded a total population of 4.904 million as of 2024, making it the 10th highest in the Philippines, data from the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) on Thursday, July 24, showed. CPD-NIR Director Bruce Ragas led the presentation of the population data as he introduced …
Negros town mayor, other officials suspended for grave misconduct
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended the mayor and 14 other officials of Amlan town in Negros Oriental for grave misconduct relative to the alleged repeated granting of bonuses under the government’s Program of Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE). The decision stemmed from the local government unit’s (LGU) release of bonuses in …
Rains, strong winds to continue due to ‘Emong,’ habagat
Many areas across Luzon and the Visayas will continue to experience rains and strong winds caused by Tropical Storm “Emong” and the southwest monsoon, the weather bureau said yesterday. As of 4:00 p.m., “Emong” was located over the coastal waters of Sabtang, Batanes. It packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near …